Door switch



Dec. 25, 1945.

DOOR SWITCH Filed April 19, 1945 INVENToR. wa Kamm/v Patented Dec. 25, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR SWITCH David Conlan, New York, N. Y., assigner to Conlan Electric Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y.

1-0 Claims.

The invention herein disclosed relates to switches, such as used aboard ships, to assure that all lights in a stateroom will go olf when the door to such room is opened.

General objects of the invention are to provide a sturdy, reliable type of switch in a unitary form, which can be quickly and easily mounted in a door frame, in position to be controlled by the door and in which all parts will be enclosed and properly protected.

Special objects are to provide switch actuating mechanism of simple construction and few parts, easily assembled, requiring no supervision or attention and not likely to get out of order.

A further special object is to provide simple and practical means for enabling the switch to be locked in inoperative condition, so that it will not be controlled by the door, when such a situation vbecomes necessary or desirable;

of the specification illustrates one commercial embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that structure may be modified and changed as regards the present illustration, all within the .true intent and scope of the invention as hereinafter dened and claimed.

Fig. 1 in the drawing is a front view of the switch unit as applied to a door casing, with the cover of the box structure removed and the parts in the open circuit condition,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View of the complete unit as on substantially the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View on substantially the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but showing the door actuated plunger locked in, with the switch in closed circuit condition.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the parts in the last described relation.

The protection of all the parts of the switch and the combination of the same in a single unitary structure are accomplished by mounting and 'enclosing al1 Such parts within a box 5 and cover 6.

The switch mechanism is indicated at l, as a toggle switch unit of a size fitting closely within the lower end of the box and confined in that position by overstanding lugs 8 and 9, projecting inwardly from the back wall of the box and from the cover over opposite edges of the insulating switch base I0. In this manner, the switch is mounted and held in place in the box by the simple act of locating it in the lower end of the box beneath the back lug 8, for in this position, the cover lug 9, will engage over and hold the switch base when the cover is applied;

As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the cover lug 9, can slide over the top of the switch base when the cover moves inwardly under the pull of the securing screws II, in compressing the sealing gasket I2, seated in the groove I3, in the cover, in engagement with the rim of the box.

The switch actuating mechanism is shown as comprising a door engageable plunger I4, sliding through a stuffing gland bearing l5, in one side of the box above the switch and engaging one end of a lever i6, pivoted on the back wall of the box and arranged to operate the toggle lever Il, of the switch.

Specifically, the plunger is shown as having a head I8, at its inner end to slidingly engage the rounded or cam-shaped edge I9, of lever I', and to act as a stop engageable with the inner end of the bearing I5, t0 limit the outward projection of the plunger.

The switch actuating lever is shown pivoted intermediate its ends on a screw stud 26, set in the end of a post 2|, projecting from the back wall of the box.

The other end portion of lever I5, is shown as angled inwardly at 22, in spaced relation over the mounting post 2 I, and as having the inwardly offset extension 23, in line with the toggle lever I'I.

The inset end portion of the actuating lever is indicated as longitudinally slotted at 2d, to slidingly receive the inner end of a screw pin 25, xed to the end of toggle lever I1.

To provide a firm, secure mounting of the actuating pin 25, in the end of the toggle lever, said pin is shown in the form of a screw extending through a U-Shaped bracket or clip 26, embracing the end portion of such lever and as having screw engagement at 21, in the inner arm of such bracket. By tightening such screw, the bracket will be clamped about the end portion of the toggle lever and the screw thus rmly anchored in place on the lever.

The switch is biased in the circuit opening direction by means of a coiled spring 28, loosely engaged about the post 2 I, in back of the forward, pivoted end portion of lever I6, said spring being anchored at its inner end to the back wall as by mea-ns of a screw 29, and having its outer end engaged over the edge of the inwardly angled and offset portions 22, 23, to rock the lever in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1, to both project the plunger and throw the switch to the oi position.

In Figs. 1 and 4, the plane of the opposing face of the door is indicated at 30. From these views, it will be seen that a relatively slight closing or opening movement of the door, acting through plunger I4, on the short arm of the lever I6, will, through the long arm of the lever throw the switch fully from the oir to the on position or vice versa. This, makes it possible. for the' occupant of thek room to have illumination immediately the door is fully closed and makes certain that the lights in the room will all be thrown oi immediately the door starts to open, that; is, to the appreciable extent where lights would be dangerous or objectionable.

The wiring connections are not shown, but it will be understood that the wiring brought in through the junction connection 3 I, to the terminals 32, on the switch, will be such as to controly all lighting or other similar outlets in the. room.

The box is shown -as having an inwardly extending projection 33, on its upper wall forming a barrier to prevent any possibility of wires brought into the box interfering with operation of the switch throwing mechanism,

To provide for locking the switch in the circuit closed relation, so that it will not be aiected by opening and closing movements of the door, a lock screw is indicated at 34, extending through a packing gland 35, in the cover, in position to pass behind the'head I8, on the inner end of the plunger, thus to secure the plunger in its inner position and hold the lever I6, in the switch closed position,

The mechanism is easily assembled, it only being necessary to insert the plunger in its bearing, locate the spring over the post and then secure the lever in its pivoted position on the post. The switch ca-n then be dropped in position in the lower end of the box, caught at the back beneath the holding lug 8 and with the pin 25 extending through the slot in the actuatingl lever. Then when the cover is put on, the switch will be nally secured in this position and the locking screw 34, located to cooperate with thehead I8, of the plunger.

In this closed position of the box, all the parts are sealed in water and gas tight relation and protectedl from mechanical injury.

The switch box unit can be quicklyr and accurately mounted on the door jamb by simply placing it so that the plunger will be pushed allthe way in when resting against the faceof the closed door. The mounting lugs 36, provide, means for securing the box in this relation and thev cover screw lugs 3l, projecting from the sides ofA the box provide means for limiting the extent of the inward push on the plunger bythe face ofthe door (Fig. 4).

The switch is indicated as of the. double pole,

double break type, having four terminalsl 32,

If desired, a bowed spring or compressible material 40, may be secured to the inside of the cover in the space between the front of the switch base and the cover, Fig. 2, allowing for compression of the packing I2, to avoid any looseness of the switch in the box.

The abutment 33, Figs. 1 and 4, may be disposed so as to serve as a stop engageable by the head I8, to prevent the plunger being thrust in too far, thus protecting the switch against injury from suchk a cause.

As particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the forwardly and rearwardly offset end portions of lever I6, provide a compact and desirable arrangement of parts, this allowing for a long and powerful coiled spring and the placing of the actuating plunger at the front of the box and the connection withV the switch toward the back of the box, and this enabling an enclosure of relatively' small size. Y

What is claimed is:

1. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising a watertight and gas tight enclosure, a door operable plunger projecting from said enclosure, a switch removably positioned in said enclosure, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends within said enclosure and engageable at one end by the inner end of said plunger and connected at its opposite end to operate said switch, a spring tensioned to swing said lever in the direction to project said plunger and shift the switch to open circuit relation, said enclosure comprising a box having a removable cover and means on said cover for engaging, positioning and removably holding. the switch within the box, said switch and lever having a detachable connection separable to permit free removal of the switch from the box and from said lever when the cover is removed.

2. A switch of thecharacter disclosed, comprising a watertight and gas tight enclosure, a door operable plunger projecting from said enclosure, aA switch positioned in said enclosure, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends within said enclosure and engageable at one end by the inner end of said. plunger and connected at. its opposite end to operate saidv switch, a spring tensioned to'swing said lever in the direction toprojectV said plunger. and shift the switch to open circuit relation, said switch havingA a. toggle lever actuated by said pivoted lever, a U-shaped clip embracing said toggle lever, a screw passingv through said toggle lever and clamping, the arms of said U-shaped clip against said toggle lever, the end of said screw projectingfromsaid clip and the swinging.'-

lever having a slot'engageable by the projecting end of said screw.

3. A stateroom door switch, comprising-a box. having` a removable cover, a switch seated in the lower portion of. said box, said switchv being shapjed tofit closely insaid lowerportion ofthe box and' removably positioned and held in' such position by said". removable cover, a post projecting from the back. wall-.of the-x box above said switch, a coiled springY supported onsaid post, a

- lever pivoted on. said. post-having; a dependent arm operably connected with ksaid switch and anupwardly projecting arm, said lever being engaged by said spring and a plunger projecting,

through the. side of thev box into position` to engage and operate the. upwardly projecting. arm of'v said lever.

4. A. stateroom door switch, comprising: abox having a removable cover, a switch seated inthe lower portionV ofY said box and removably positioned. and heldin such-position-by said removable cover, a post projecting from the back wall of the box above said switch, a coiled spring supported on said post, a lever pivoted on said post having a dependent arm operably connected with said switch and an upwardly projecting arm, said lever being engaged by said spring, a plunger projecting through the side of the box into position to engage and operate the upwardly projecting arm of said lever and a lock screw mounted on the cover in position to be projected inwardly into holding engagement with the inner end of said plunger.

5. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising a box, a post projecting forwardly from the rearward wall of said box, a lever pivoted intermediate its length on said post and having forwardly and rearwardly offset ends, the rearwardly offset end of said lever being longitudinally slotted, an operating plunger engageable with the forwardly offset end of said lever, a switch removably engaged in the bottom of said box and having an upwardly projecting actuating lever provided with a rearwardly projecting pin operably engaged in the slot in the rearwardly offset end of said lever and a coiled spring on said post acting on said lever.

6. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising a box and cover and a compressible sealing gasket between said box and cover, means securing said cover and adjustable to compress said sealing gasket to a desirable extent, a switch located in and bodily removable as a unit from within said box, positioning lugs on said box and on the inside of said cover engageable with said switch, compressible holding means on the inside of said cover and engageable with said switch and means for actuating said switch including a projecting actuating extension.

'7. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising a box having a removable cover, a forwardly projecting lug on the back of the box and a rearwardly projecting lug on the inside of the cover, both located a distance above the bottom of the box, a switch having a base removably fitting in the bottom portion of the box beneath said lugs and thereby conned in definite position when said cover is on the box, said switch having an upwardly projecting lever for actuating the same,

a lever pivotally mounted in the box above saidv switch and having an upwardly projecting arm and a downwardly projecting arm, said downwardly projecting arm having a detachable operating connection with said switch lever, a plunger operating through the side of the box and having operative engagement with said upwardly projecting arm of the lever and spring means for eiecting yielding projecting movement of said plunger.

8. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising a box having a cover, a switch having a base fitting the bottom portion of said box and thereby located in definite position in the bottom of the box, means on the cover engaging said switch base to removably hold the switch thus denitely positioned in the bottom of the box, said switch having an upwardly projecting switch actuating lever, an operating lever pivotally mounted in the box above said switch lever, a detachable operating connection between the lower end of said operating lever and said switch lever, permitting free removal of the switch from the box when the cover is separated from the box, a plunger operating through the side of the box and having operative engagement with said operating lever and spring means for eiiecting yieldling projection of said plunger.

9. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising a box having a removable cover, a switch having a base tting in the bottom portion of said box and thereby removably positioned in a denite location, said cover having means engaging said switch base to retain the same so located, said switch having an upwardly projecting lever for actuating the same, a clip embracing said switch actuating lever, a screw passing through said clip and clamping the same in position on said lever, said screw projecting beyond said clip, an operating lever pivoted in the box above said switch and slotted to loosely receive the projecting portion of said screw and whereby said operating lever and switch lever may be detachably connected by the mounting of said switch in said box, a plunger projecting from the box and in operative engagement with said operating lever and spring means for effecting the yielding projection of said plunger from the box.

10. A switch of the character disclosed, comprising an enclosure, a switch mounted in said enclosure and bodily removable therefrom as a complete unit, said switch having a projecting lever for actuating the same, an operating lever pivotally mounted in the enclosure and detachably connected with said switch lever, a plunger operating through the wall of the enclosure and having operative engagement with said operating lever, spring means for effecting projection of the plunger and means engageable with said plunger for locking the same in retracted position within the box.

DAVID CONLAN. 

